Help a noob identify some parts..

[triviani]

Hi

First post here, also first build!

Thought to start with the Sprout, which seems feasible as a first project. Just yesterday I received the board, I'm double checking today all the parts, and I have a bit of trouble with the capacitors and I cannot find an answer on the internet.

Diagram says that C2 is 220pf and C3 is 220n

I have two capacitors left so have to ID at least one, one is a mkt style with "224j50" on top, the other says 220uf. Here is a picture of the second one,

which has a polarity symbol that is not in the diagram, maybe I did a mistake when ordering?


Also, about the transistors, I have this kind that has 3 legs in a kind of triangle. Is it important the direction of the transistor?  How to know which side is correct?


I hope is clear .. Thanks!  

[bigmufffuzzwizz]

Hello, Welcome to Mad Bean's Forum!
Sprout is a great choice for a first project, I'm sure you'll be satisfied. It's one knob, all out or nothing!
You did order the wrong part for this project, but save it cause you'll surely be-able to use it later. Anything in the picofarad range (for our applications and main reference) will be a ceramic disc cap. They look like this;
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-568/220pF-50V-Ceramic-Disc/Detail
For capacitors in the nanofarad range (nf or n) there are a few choices and it's all up to you what to use. Mylar film, Film Box Cap or Ceramic can all be used will good results. Some people say it varies but that's another story. Here's some examples;  
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-1842/0.22uF-100V-5-pct--Mylar/Detail -- http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-2289/0.22uF-100V-5-pct--Polyester/Detail -- http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-1022/0.22uF-50V-Ceramic-Disc/Detail
For the transistors your gonna wanna look up the datasheet and you will be able to identify it then. Type in the part number + datasheet into google and you should get tons of results!  

[nzCdog]

Hey bro welcome to the forum

one is a mkt style with "224j50"

224= 220nF J= tolerance of 5%, 50= 50V Max.

[triviani]

Thanks a lot!

So, 220pf = 0.00022uf,

and 220n = 0.22uf

right?

[nzCdog]

yeah man... thats it
1000 pF = 1nF, 1000 nF = 1uF etc

That cap that looks like a battery is called an Electrolytic too btw, and yes they are polarised...

You should check out this cool site, has lots of easy to understand explanations of pedal electronics:
http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/
Specifically about capacitors...
http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/Caps/

[bigmufffuzzwizz]

Whoops totally read past you saying you had the cap that reads "224" which would be the right one.
I honestly feel the beavis site should be mandatory for all beginners. Whenever I spend time there, I always leave with a little something to say the least.